Method and apparatus for collecting information about portable device usage

Abstract

Methods and portable devices for collecting information about portable device usage are disclosed. Embodiments provide convenient, efficient, and cost-effective methods of monitoring and collecting information about on-portal / off-portal usage, on-network / off-network data usage, interactive (e.g., streaming media, interactive gaming, mobile conferencing, etc.) usage, and wireless IP usage, where the portable device usage is monitored by the portable device itself.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This Patent claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 849,054, filed on Oct. 2, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Although cellular phones and other wireless devices were originally used for basic call placement, mobile phones now incorporate many new technologies and features. For example, data messaging in the form of SMS or MMS is common. Additionally, internet connectivity over cellular networks and wireless internet access points (e.g., using Wi-Fi, etc.) has enabled internet browsing, content downloading, mobile commerce transactions, email activity, and the like.[0003]With the advent of these new features and the services to support such features, cellular providers and other wireless industry participants have realized a need for information on usage of these features and services. Consumer usage information is desirable for advertising, marketing, strategic busine...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This approach allows for efficient, cost-effective, and comprehensive monitoring of portable device usage, providing complete and representative information on interactions with various servers and networks, facilitating payment tracking and usage analysis across different business entities.

Problems solved by technology

However, obtaining such information has proven to be costly, difficult, or otherwise impossible using conventional data collection techniques.

For example, conventional data collection techniques are unable to obtain usage information related to “on-portal” and “off-portal” usage.

Although on-portal usage may be monitored by the carrier (e.g., by monitoring internet activity with servers hosting their internet portals), it is difficult and / or impossible for third-parties to monitor such usage.

Further, off-portal usage cannot be directly monitored by carriers given that the interaction is not with servers of the respective carriers.

Collection of “on-network” and “off-network” data usage is also limited using the conventional collection techniques.

Although on-network data usage may be monitored by the carrier, it is difficult and / or impossible for third-parties to monitor such usage.

Further, off-network data usage cannot be directly monitored by carriers given that the interaction is over networks affiliated with other business entities.

Conventional data collection techniques are also inadequate to monitor interactive and / or “real-time” usage.

Wireless IP usage is difficult to monitor given that such interactions are not over a single network or via a single internet server.

Additionally, there are many types of wireless IP networks, which further complicates monitoring such usage.

Further, there are many small wireless IP networks affiliated with many different business entities, thereby thwarting usage monitoring by any single business entity and making payment tracking between the business entities (e.g., affiliated with the wireless IP networks relinquishing and receiving subscribers) impossible.

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